Bumper advice

[s.jordan.m]

Hey guys,

I'm looking into off-road bumpers for my 2014 jk unlimited. I'm thinking either rugged ridge xhd modular bumpers or smittybilt atlas bumpers. What are you feelings on them? Any other recommendations?

Thanks for the help

 

[Septu]

Front or rear? I love the look of the front Atlas bumper - if you have full fenders. My buddy has their rear bumper, and it looks amazing. If I get something else from my cheap 2nd hand mopar one, it would be a LoD (only because our jeeps are both silver and I can't copy his bumper too!). Well that and I've always liked the LOD ones!

 

[notajeep]

I really like the rock slide bumpers.

 

[Kmrtnsn]

I waited months to see a Smittybilt Atlas front bumper on a Jeep, at a show, a dealer, anywhere, to no avail so I gave up and bought a Warn Elite and never looked back. I did end up buying the Atlas rear bumper, sight unseen, but only after reading a few online reviews.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Smittybilt's reputation is less than stellar (some call them ****tybilt) and I understand they're made in China.

I like LoD's bumpers and rock rails (I've got their rock rails and love them and I'll be buying their bumpers too). They're an American company.

http://www.lodoffroad.com/xcart/home.php?cat=290

 

[BBailey]

Smittybuilt and Rugged Ridge are both budget options. If that's what you are looking for, that's fine. But Smittybuilts are referred to as Sh!ttybuilts for a reason. Rugged Ridge is in the same category.

Both are fine for a mall cruiser or one that will see limited, easy off-road use. Don't plan on relying on a recovery point on either to save you or allow you to winch over any difficult obstacles.

Lots of better options out there of far higher quality. LoD, OR Fab, EVO, ARB, PSC among them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Skennedy]

I have the AEV bumpers and love them.

 

[WininUtah]

I've been agonizing over which bumpers, too. I'm going with LoD front w/o tube guard, like the looks, American made. For the rear I'll most likely go Genright Aluminum but that could change.

 

[Septu]

I've been agonizing over which bumpers, too. I'm going with LoD front w/o tube guard, like the looks, American made. For the rear I'll most likely go Genright Aluminum but that could change.

I have LoD's midwidth on the front... amazing bumper. They did a few things I disliked, but the bumper has a very stout/solid feel.

 

[e-jeep]

shrockworks.com

 

[shays4me]

I bought the AEV rear bumper for my JK. It was expensive, but I wanted the advantages of a good tire carrier. It was tough to pay that much, but the bumper is nice and my tailgate won't end up scrapped. It's pretty light comparatively as well. As for the front end, I want a full length bumper with a bull bar for protection. There are several on the market that offer good protection, but most of them are pigs! I've been looking at buying the Warn Elite bumper. It's right at 100 lbs which is lighter than the AEV once the winch mount is added and half the price to boot. Most manufacturers don't list the bumpers weight, but I find that it's an extremely important to consideration when building a Jeep. I want to haul more payload without stressing the stock components and losing fuel range.

 

[JFarris]

I mentioned VKS Fab in another thread earlier. Definitely give him a look. You won't be disappointed, quality, functionality and price wise.

 

[Idahoan]

Lots of choices out there. I went with Olympic 533-174 on the front since I don't leave my winch on all the time. Rugged Ridge aluminum bumper pods 11547.01 on the rear.

 

[kojackJKU]

Out of the two you mentioned. Atlas for sure. awesome looking bumper. I am keeping my stockers and modifying them so to keep the weight as light as possible.

 

[Kmrtnsn]

So far, so good with my SB Atlas rear bumper. I wanted the ability to carry two 20L jerry cans on the bumper with my spare, without them sitting six feet in the air like a couple of the alternatives out there. I also wanted full width, with the ability to step at the outside edges, something missing on most of the other options out there. I like the steep departure angle of the bumper. It is also well tied into the frame, with an integrated receiver. I have made a couple of modifications. I am not using the SB CMBL bracket and am using one that mounts to the tailgate. For the money, it does everything I want it to so far. For those running Cherokees, SB now has an Atlas version for those.